You are here

Colonel Rauno Sirk to head the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments

13. June 2016 - 10:29

Colonel Rauno Sirk to head the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments. Photo: EDF

At the proposal of the Commander of the Defence Forces, Minister of Defence Hannes Hanso appointed Colonel Rauno Sirk to head the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI), which falls within the area of government of the Ministry of Defence.

“The creation of a joint procurement system has long piqued the interest of the Ministry as well as the Defence Forces, and its founding is one long step in the process of improving procurements by the Ministry and Defence Forces and administrative activities concerning objects of national defence,” said Minister of Defence Hannes Hanso. “The field of defence, which accounts for more than 2% of gross domestic product (GDP), requires a precise and systematic monitoring and planning of expenditures. We must take this very seriously, be transparent, and act based on the best experience and knowledge possessed by our specialists.”

“The process of building up a new organisation is a major calling and requires a capable leader. Throughout his career so far in the Defence Forces, Colonel Sirk has proven that he has the necessary skills to perform the tasks facing him,” said Commander of the Defence Forces Lt. Gen. Riho Terras. “I am certain that we have found the best person to head the ECDI, someone who will be able to consolidate the known-how within this area of government into a single whole, and thereby further raise the level of efficiency in national defence procurements and the field of infrastructure development.”

Colonel Sirk will take over the process of establishing the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) as of 4 July.

Colonel Rauno Sirk has been active in the field of national defence since 1993. He has previously served as the Commander of Ämari Air Base, Chief of Staff of Air Force Headquarters, and deputy Estonian National Military Representative at NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe.

Rauno Sirk is a graduate of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences and graduated this year from the United States Air Force Air War College, in addition he has improved himself by completing various Air Force and management related courses.

In 2014, Sirk was selected as officer of the year.

Last autumn, the Minister of Defence made the decision to consolidate the procurement and infrastructure functions of the area of government into a single location, thereby freeing the Defence Forces from performing non-military tasks, in order to cope in a situation where over the past few years the volumes of procurements has notably increased, to raise the level of efficiency of procurement and infrastructure functions and make the use of the defence budget more transparent.

Commencing operations on 1 January 2017, the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) is being created as a state authority administered by the Ministry of Defence, which will begin to carry out procurements for the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Forces and other authorities within the area of government, and to administer and organise real estate. The Centre will begin to carry out 400-500 procurement projects and 100 infrastructure projects annually.